Philadelphia,
Pa. - University at Albany's Eddie Delaney has been named the winner of the
Maxwell Football Club's Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award, as announced by the
club's president, Ron Jaworski, on Wednesday afternoon. The Maxwell Football
club has been presenting a Spirit Award since 2000, only in years when deemed
appropriate. The award was re-named the Brookshier Award in 2010.
Delaney, a senior defensive end from
Holtsville, N.Y., plays without a left hand and wears an insulin pump to
control diabetes. An All-Northeast Conference Defensive First Team selection,
Delaney made 54 tackles and led the Great Danes with 11.5 hits for a loss. He
also established the program's FCS single-season record with 8.5 sacks.
In addition to excelling on the
field, Delaney also devoted himself to numerous pursuits in the local
community. He has taken a large role in an effort to raise awareness and funds
for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and has spoken to the Sugar Free
Gang on several occasions, inviting the group to attend UAlbany football games.
The Sugar Free Gang, established in 1989 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady,
N.Y., actively involves
children and their families as full partners with their health care providers
in managing type 1 diabetes. Delaney, who developed many of his own workout and
weight lifting plans, would like to work in the future to help create plans to
help children overcome disabilities in the same way he did.
"This
is a tremendous honor for Eddie and for the University," said UAlbany head
coach Bob Ford, who led the Great Danes to the NEC Championship title and first
FCS Tournament berth in 2011. "Eddie is a tribute to the sport of football and
to UAlbany. He is a great role model for kids with disabilities and, in
addition, he is a great football player."
The Brookshier Award was named after
Tom Brookshier, who earned distinction as an All-Pro cornerback on the 1960 NFL
Champion Philadelphia Eagles. After a broken leg ended his playing career,
Brookshier took to the broadcast booth, working three Super Bowls with longtime
partner Pat Summerall. Brookshier passed away in January 2010, and the Maxwell
Football Club re-named the Spirit Award in his honor. The award is presented
only when deemed appropriate, to a member of the football community who best
exemplifies extraordinary spirit in overcoming adversity or demonstrating
service. The award was last given to Boston College's Mark Herzlich in 2009, and
has also been presented to Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills (2008) and Tedy
Bruschi of the New England Patriots (2005).
The Maxwell Football Club was
established in 1935 in Philadelphia, Pa. The organization presents the Maxwell
Award for the College Player of the Year. This award is presented in honor of
Robert W. (Tiny) Maxwell, legendary college player, official and sports
columnist.
The
75th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala will be held at the
Harrah's Atlantic City Resort on March 2, 2012. The event is open to the
public. Tickets may be purchased on the Maxwell Football Club website at www.maxwellfootballclub.org or by
calling 215-643-3833.
